Abandoned elementary school in Kentucky

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Johnston Elementary School is one of the finest examples of the Beaux-Arts style applied to institutional buildings in Louisville.

The school, which was completed in 1915, is the work of the local architectural firm of Joseph and Joseph. Alfred and Oscar Joseph became partners in 1908 and in the next two decades established themselves as one of the most prominent architectural firms in Louisville. Alfred had long been associated with the firm of McDonald Brothers and its successors, while Oscar was trained as a civil engineer. The brothers designed numerous theaters, clubs, residences, schools and industrial buildings in styles which ranged from the neo-classical to Spanish and Tudor revivals. Some of their finest works were executed in the classical mode, such as the Republic Building (1916), the Rialto Theater (1921- razed), the Elks Athletic Club (1924) and the Fincastle Building (1927). Along with the Young Men's Hebrew Association building of the same year, Johnston Elementary School is an important early work by the firm. These small-scale Beaux-Arts structures were expanded upon and refined in later, more ambitious works such as the Elks Club and the Rialto.

Besides the YMHA, the other comparable Beaux-Arts structure in the city is the Crescent Hill Branch Library, designed in 1908 by Thomas and Bohne.

Building Description

Johnston Elementary School is a two-story, Beaux Arts structure, built on a raised basement. It is constructed of pressed brick with stone trim. The original portion of the building consists of a long, central block terminating in large, slightly projecting units. Two additions were made at the rear of the school in 1920 and 1933.

The raised basement, which is finished in coursed brickwork, is articulated by stone quoins and rectangular window openings which are now boarded up. A broad stone band separates this level from the stories above. A profusion of classical decoration enriches the symmetrical facade. The central entry is recessed beneath a segmental, stone arch which is flanked by pilasters and a pair of engaged columns with classical capitals. The columns support a pilastered frieze adorned with medallions and topped by an enriched cornice. A stone panel above the entry bears the name of the school.

Flanking the entry bay in both stories are rows of sash windows with nine-over-nine lights, grouped in fives and framed in stone surrounds. This fenestration continues in the end bays, where the area between stories contains herringbone. brickwork and diamond-shaped stone insets. Large cartouches and festooned ancons also adorn the end bays. A prominent stone cornice enriched with modillions encircles the building. Crowning the facade is a brick parapet.

Double-door entries set in stone surrounds provide access through the wings on the north and south sides of the building. Two-story, round arches enclose Palladian-style windows above the entries.

The one-story boiler and coal rooms added in 1920 were also constructed of pressed brick.

The three-story pressed brick addition of 1933 provided additional classroom space. It is also trimmed in stone, but in a much simpler manner than in the original building.

(1982)

(1982)

(1982)